A Man Betrayed by J. V. Jones

Author:J. V. Jones [Jones, J. V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-08-14T13:07:17+00:00

"I didn't. It was a young and fleet-footed buck,"

"Tastes more like an old and slow-stepping stag."

The duke threw his head back and laughed. He slammed his cup on the table. "By Borc! You are an annoying wench!" He didn't sound in the least bit annoyed; in fact, he sounded rather pleased. "Tell me, did you get that tongue of yours from your father or your mother?"

A tiny warning sounded in Melli's head. An innocent question? Or was he trying to catch her out? Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut? "From my father, I think."

"Hmm, that was Lord Luff, wasn't it?" Melli was growing nervous. "Yes."

"Strange. I met the man once. He didn't strike me as being particularly quick wilted."

He could be bluffing, but it was best not to put it to the test. "Aah, well my mother was no shrinking violet, either. I could have got it from her."

The duke's demeanor visibly changed. He looked at her coldly. "You are lying," he said.

Try as she might, Melli could not stop the heat from rushing to her face. There was nothing for her to do but stand up and turn her reddening face to the fire. A second later she felt the duke's hands upon her shoulders.

"Look at me," he ordered. He gripped her flesh so hard that Melli had no choice but to obey.

Melli turned toward him. Her own guilt was clearly reflected in his flint gray eyes. He reached up and, for one moment, she thought he would hit her. Instead he took her chin in his hand. He smelled like the game he had hunted. Squeezing his fingers into her cheek, he said: "Tell me who your father is." His voice was low and menacing, it allowed no space for falsehood or evasion.

Panicking, knowing she had only seconds, Melli searched for a convincing lie. It was too late for backtracking.

Annoyed at her hesitation, the duke dug his fingertips deeper into her cheeks. "Tell me," he hissed.

A knock sounded at the door. The duke did not take his eyes off Melli for an instant. "Do not disturb me," he called. "Your Grace," came a muffled voice, "there is important news. A messenger has come from the court."

The duke swore and pushed Melli back toward the fire. "Come," he cried, voice harsh and impatient.

Even as she struggled to find her footing, Melli breathed a sigh of relief. Her shin caught against the grate.

It was red-hot and she pinned her lips together to keep from crying out. She hated him!

In walked two men. Melli recognized one of them from the journey; the other still had his cloak and leathers on. Neither of them as much as glanced at her.

"Your Grace, Kylock has invaded Halcus."

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